Information about spectrum frequencies and allocations - Ofcom

About Ofcom

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day.

Internet-based services

As people communicate seamlessly online and offline, we now need to invest our efforts into making digital communications work for everyone

Media use and attitudes

Ofcom wants to understand how adults and children in the UK use media.

Online safety

Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom's job is to make online services safer for the people who use them. We make sure companies have effective systems in place to protect users from harm.

Phones and broadband

Ofcom is committed to a thriving telecoms sector, where companies can compete fairly and customers benefit from a broad range of services.

Post

Ofcom's job is to make sure there is a universal postal service.

Spectrum

You can't see or feel radio spectrum, but we use it every day. Our job is to authorise and manage the use of spectrum in the UK.

TV, radio and on-demand

We make sure that broadcasters provide quality TV, radio and on-demand programmes that appeal to diverse audiences. We also have rules in place to protect viewers and listeners from harm.
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How to make the most of communications services as a small business.

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How to make the most of the services you use, and deal with problems.

Consultations and statements

Proposals we are consulting on and decisions we've made.

Enforcement

How we make sure companies follow our rules, to protect customers and promote competition.

Information for industry

Rules, guidance and other information for the industries we regulate.

Licence information

If you're looking to use certain radio equipment, or broadcast on TV or radio, you'll need a licence from Ofcom.

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Our latest news, features, views and information about our work.

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Evidence we gather to inform our work as a regulator.
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- Ofcom may be able to help you complain about or report issues relating to: phone, broadband and postal services; TV, radio and on-demand programmes; interference to wireless devices; or something you have seen on an online service, website or app.
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Licences
- You need a licence from Ofcom if you’re looking to use certain radio equipment (like amateur or ships radio), or broadcast on TV or radio.
- Help with your spectrum licence
- Help with your broadcast licence

Cymraeg

Spectrum Frequencies Information for industry

Published: 13 June 2024

More information about how radio spectrum is allocated in the UK, including links to important documents.

Frequencies and allocations

Ofcom's Spectrum Information System provides information on how radio spectrum is issued in the UK, including the types of Wireless Telegraphy (WT) Act licences available from Ofcom and details of tradable licences.

Our Interactive Spectrum Map is an easy way to browse and search how different spectrum bands are used in the United Kingdom.

The European Frequency Information System allows you to search for and compare spectrum use across Europe.

Co-ordination processes for FWA 28 GHz

Co-ordination processes for licensed services in 3605 to 3689 and 3925 to 4009 MHz

UK digital terrestrial television: international co-ordination agreements

Code of practice on changes to existing transmission and reception arrangements (PDF, 106.5 KB)
Revised 11 March 2016

Guidance note on test transmissions (PDF, 58.0 KB)
April 2012

Reference parameters for digital terrestrial television transmissions in the United Kingdom (PDF, 300.4 KB)
Published 9 May 2023

Data limits on digital terrestrial television multiplexes - Guidance (PDF, 150.1 KB)
Published 14 December 2006

Television technical performance code (PDF, 171.1 KB)
Published 9 May 2023

Analogue Radio Technical Code
Published 17 June 2024

Digital Radio Technical Code (PDF, 276.0 KB)
Published 9 May 2023

Technical Policy Guidance for DAB Multiplex Licensees (PDF, 945.1 KB)
Published 9 May 2023

T-DAB Technical Parameter Sample Form-Ge06 SGML (PDF, 14.3 KB)

DAB transmitter compliance testing method (PDF, 458.8 KB)
Published 18 July 2023

DAB commissioning checklist form - Version 1.0 (XLSX, 20.7 KB)
Published 18 July 2023

DAB pre-commissioning equipment details form - Version 1.0 (XLSX, 19.9 KB)
Published 18 July 2023

FM radio transmitter acceptance testing method
Published 17 June 2024

FM commissioning results form
Published 17 June 2024

OfW31 - Fixed Point-to-Point Radio Services with Analogue Modulation Operating in the Frequency Ranges 31.0 to 31.3 GHz paired with 31.5 to 31.8 GHz (PDF, 287.2 KB)
September 2004 - In this document all references to the Wireless Telegraphy Acts should be replaced by "The Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006"

OfW446 - Fixed point-to-point radio services with digital modulation (PDF, 1.4 MB)
July 2015

Fixed Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint Scanning Telemetry Radio Services with Analogue Modulation Operating in the Frequency Ranges 457.5 to 458.5 MHz paired with 463.0 to 464.0 MHz (OFW49) (PDF, 1.4 MB)

OfW164 - Business Radio Technical Frequency Assignment Criteria (PDF, 1.0 MB)
Updated February 2009

VNS – Voluntary National Specification 2030/8/3 (PDF, 325.0 KB)
5.8 GHz Wireless Access Systems operating in the 5725 – 5850 MHz band and systems where channels overlap into the 5725 – 5730 MHz band

Interface requirements (IRs)

IR 2000: Point-to-Point Fixed Wireless Systems Operating in Fixed Service Frequency Bands Administered by Ofcom (PDF, 207.6 KB)

IR 2001, IR 2003 and IR 2004 were replaced by IR 2044 on 7 March 2005.

IR 2005: Wideband Transmission Systems operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM Band and Using Wide Band Modulation Techniques (PDF, 90.4 KB)

IR 2006 has been replaced by IR 2030.

IR 2007: Fixed Broadband Services operating in the frequency range 5725-5850 MHz (PDF, 215.1 KB)

IR 2009 has been replaced by IR 2030.

IR 2010 was replaced by IR 2044 on 7 March 2005.

IR 2011: Analogue and digital cordless telephony service (PDF, 133.0 KB)

IR 2012 and IR 2013 were replaced by IR 2044 on 7 March 2005.

IR 2014: Public Wireless Networks (PDF, 140.0 KB)

IR 2015: Spectrum Access in the 3400 to 4009 MHz band (PDF, 122.3 KB)

IR 2016: Land mobile satellite systems (PDF, 233.1 KB)

IR 2018 was replaced by IR 2044 on 7 March 2005.

IR 2019: Third Generation Mobile (PDF, 140.2 KB)

IR 2020: Radar 9 GHz Band (non-SOLAS) in the Maritime Radionavigation Service for ships and shore stations (PDF, 123.5 KB)

IR 2021: VHF Transmitters and Receivers for use at Coast Stations in the Maritime Mobile Service (PDF, 99.9 KB)

IR 2022: Broadcast transmitters operating in frequency bands administered by Ofcom (PDF, 587.4 KB)

IR 2023: Transmitters and receivers in the MF/HF bands for use at coast stations in the maritime mobile service (PDF, 111.1 KB)

IR 2024: Portable radiotelephone equipment in the maritime mobile service operating in the VHF bands (for non-GMDSS applications only) (PDF, 87.1 KB)

IR 2025: Shipborne automatic identification system in the VHF band of the maritime mobile service (PDF, 124.7 KB)

IR 2026: VHF radiotelephone equipment for general communications and associated equipment for Class 'D' Digital Selective Calling (DSC) (PDF, 98.5 KB)
IR 2026 was rebranded on 22 May 2009.

IR 2027 (FM) (PDF, 109.5 KB)

IR 2027.2 (AM/ SSB/ DSB) (PDF, 166.6 KB)

IR 2028: Amateur Radio Licences - Foundation, Intermediate and Full (PDF, 226.5 KB)

IR 2029: UK Radio Interface Requirement 2029 for Maritime Emergency Position indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) intended for use on the frequency 121,5MHz or the frequencies 121,5 MHz and 243 MHz for homing purposes only (PDF, 133.2 KB)

IR 2030: Licence Exempt Short Range Devices (PDF, 921.8 KB)

IR 2031: For Racons (3GHz and 9GHz) in the maritime radionavigation service (PDF, 82.0 KB)

IR 2032: For transmission of differential correction signals of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (DGNSS) from Maritime Radio stations in the Frequency Bands 162.4375-162.4625 and 163.0125-163.03125 MHz (PDF, 106.8 KB)

IR 2033: For a universal shipborne automatic identification system using time division multiple access in the VHF band of the maritime mobile service for use at coast station and unmanned maritime buoys (PDF, 117.7 KB)

IR 2034: For Radio Beacons of the Maritime Radiodetermination Service in the Frequency Band 283.5-315 kHz (PDF, 115.0 KB)

IR 2035: Maritime UHF on-board communications systems and equipment (PDF, 124.9 KB)

IR 2037: Performance parameters for fixed UHF network for telemetry, telecontrol or data services (PDF, 119.7 KB)

IR 2038: Programme Making and Special Events (PDF, 216.1 KB)

IR 2040 and IR 2041 were replaced by IR 2043 on 16 February 2005.

IR 2042: Maritime Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) intended for use with the COSPAS-SARSAT (PDF, 114.8 KB)

IR 2043: Broadband Fixed Wireless Access radio systems operating in the 28 GHz frequency band (PDF, 128.9 KB)
This replaced IR 2040 and IR 2041 on 16 February 2005.

IR 2044: Business Radio Land Mobile Services (PDF, 176.2 KB)

IR 2045: Concurrent Spectrum Access (PDF, 177.0 KB)

IR 2046: Spectrum Access Devices operating in the 1785 – 1805 MHz band (PDF, 126.1 KB)

IR 2047: Spectrum Access 10 GHz (PDF, 119.2 KB)

IR 2048: Spectrum Access 28 GHz (PDF, 120.7 KB)

IR 2049: Spectrum Access 32 GHz (PDF, 119.7 KB)

IR 2050: Primary Aeronautical Radar (PDF, 109.9 KB)

IR 2051: Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) (PDF, 118.3 KB)

IR 2052: VHF analogue voice and ACARS data link (PDF, 126.8 KB)

IR 2053: Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) (PDF, 122.2 KB)

IR 2054: Ground based augmentation systems (GBAS) (PDF, 122.5 KB)

IR 2055: Instrument landing system (ILS) glide path (PDF, 94.8 KB)

IR 2056: Instrument landing system (ILS) localiser (PDF, 98.2 KB)

IR 2057: Microwave landing systems (MLS) (PDF, 94.7 KB)

IR 2058: Non directional beacons (NDB) (PDF, 98.4 KB)

IR 2059: HF single side band (SSB) voice and data link (PDF, 106.6 KB)

IR 2060: VHF mode 2 and mode 4 datalink (PDF, 109.7 KB)

IR 2061: VHF marker beacons (75 MHz) (PDF, 100.2 KB)

IR 2062: VOR and DVOR (PDF, 99.5 KB)

IR 2063: Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) site monitor (PDF, 113.0 KB)

IR 2064: GSM-Railways (PDF, 93.5 KB)

IR 2065: Spectrum Access in the bands 412 to 414 MHz (PDF, 98.3 KB)

IR 2066: High Density Fixed Satellite Services (PDF, 276.0 KB)

IR 2067: Spectrum Access 40 GHz (PDF, 100.8 KB)

IR 2068: For Spectrum Access in the Band 1452 – 1492 MHz (PDF, 103.4 KB)

IR 2070: Mobile Communication Services on Aircraft (PDF, 175.7 KB)

IR 2071: Spectrum Access in the band 2010 to 2025 MHz (PDF, 137.6 KB)

IR 2072: UK Interface Requirement 2072 Terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the band 2500 to 2690 MHz (PDF, 276.1 KB)

IR 2075: Recognised Spectrum Access and Converted Spectrum Access in the band 410 - 412 MHz and 420 - 422 MHz (PDF, 87.2 KB)

IR 2076: Recognised Spectrum Access and Converted Spectrum Access licences in the band 406.1MHz to 430.0MHz (PDF, 89.0 KB)

IR 2077: Satellite Earth Station Networks (PDF, 255.2 KB)

IR 2078: Fixed Wireless Systems in the 57.1 - 70.875 GHz band (PDF, 184.4 KB)

IR 2080: Railway Level Crossing Radar Sensor Systems (PDF, 141.6 KB)

IR 2081: Ship Radar Target Enhancer (PDF, 120.4 KB)

IR 2083: UK Interface Requirement (PDF, 97.4 KB)

IR 2084: land use of Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) (PDF, 162.9 KB)

IR 2085: Tetra Apollo Network (PDF, 109.8 KB)

IR 2086: Safety-related Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) (PDF, 159.0 KB)

IR 2087: 900 / 1800 MHz LTE and WiMAX (PDF, 141.7 KB)

IR 2089: GNSS Repeater Interface Requirements (PDF, 101.7 KB)

IR 2090: UK Interface Requirement 2090 Terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the 800 MHz band (PDF, 104.1 KB)

IR 2092: UK Interface Requirements 2092 Terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the frequency bands 1920-1980 MHz and 2110-2170 MHz (PDF, 235.0 KB)

IR 2093: UK Interface Requirement 2093 Earth Stations on Mobile Platforms (ESOMPs) (PDF, 242.5 KB)

IR 2095: UK Interface Requirement for High Duty Cycle Network Relay Points (NRP) (PDF, 106.0 KB)

IR 2096: UK Interface Requirement for White Space Devices (WSDs) (PDF, 96.8 KB)

IR 2097: Terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the 3.4 to 3.8 GHz band (PDF, 137.1 KB)

IR 2098: Terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the 2.3 GHz band (PDF, 115.7 KB)

IR 2099: UK Interface Requirement for Manually Configurable White Space Devices (MCWSDs) (PDF, 98.1 KB)

IR 2100: Terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the frequency band 1899.9-1920.0 MHz

IR 2101: Backhaul for Emergency Services Gateway equipment in the 800 MHz and 1800 MHz bands

IR 2102: Licence exempt mobile phone repeaters (PDF, 364.7 KB)

IR 2103: Shared Access Low Power (PDF, 226.3 KB)

IR 2104: Shared Access Medium Power (PDF, 228.2 KB)

IR 2105: Shared Access 26 GHz indoors (PDF, 184.2 KB)

IR 2106: Spectrum Access: Extremely High Frequencies (EHF) (PDF, 269.4 KB)

IR 2107: Terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the 700 MHz band (PDF, 209.3 KB)

IR 2109: Terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands (PDF, 240.6 KB)

Related content

The United Kingdom Frequency Allocation Table

The United Kingdom Frequency Allocation Table (UKFAT) details the uses (referred to as 'allocations') to which various frequency bands are put to the UK.

Television transmitter location maps

These maps detail the locations of all of the transmitters within broadcasters’ regions. The maps have been published to provide guidance for industry and viewers on when switchover is going to happen in a particular area.

Licence-exempt devices

24 GHz wideband Vehicle Radar regulations are set in accordance with the European commission Decision 2005/50/EC. These apparatus are only fitted to new vehicles. There are restrictions on the numbers of units that can come into service within the European Union. Coordination is required between vehicle manufacturers and administrations, for the use of these apparatus. No other use is permitted.